How is the dental care in Yucatan: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, etc.?
Alfonso Galindo - I Go Yucatan
Dental care throughout Mexico is well known to be very, very affordable. I just had a full teeth cleaning and x-rays and I don’t think the fee was more than $20.
In my opinion, the quality of dental care here in Yucatan is superior to the quality in Santa Barbara, California, which is where I’m from. The dentists and the doctors here in Yucatan spend much more time with you. It’s actually the dentist doing the cleaning rather...
Dental care throughout Mexico is well known to be very, very affordable. I just had a full teeth cleaning and x-rays and I don’t think the fee was more than $20.
In my opinion, the quality of dental care here in Yucatan is superior to the quality in Santa Barbara, California, which is where I’m from. The dentists and the doctors here in Yucatan spend much more time with you. It’s actually the dentist doing the cleaning rather than a hygienist, as would be the case in California. The actual dentist takes the time to converse with you, discover your problem, take your x-rays, and do the cleaning. The standard of care here in Yucatan in many cases is much superior than anything in the US. It’s certainly cost-wise; you can’t even compare.
In general, how does the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) affect me if I move overseas?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
What the FATCA is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act?
Like a thief in the night, President Barack Hussein Obama enacted Public Law 111-147 (H.R. 2847) just after midnight at 00:01 hours on March 18th, 2010. This law provides the "fiscal transparency" promised under an Obama administration - but just not from the government; it is the citizenry who are subject to such scrutiny.
On February 8th, 2012 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the Proposed Regulations for
What the FATCA is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act?
Like a thief in the night, President Barack Hussein Obama enacted Public Law 111-147 (H.R. 2847) just after midnight at 00:01 hours on March 18th, 2010. This law provides the "fiscal transparency" promised under an Obama administration - but just not from the government; it is the citizenry who are subject to such scrutiny.
On February 8th, 2012 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the Proposed Regulations for the FATCA implementation and subsequent instructions on how and when to file Form 8938 stating, "U.S. taxpayers with specified foreign financial assets that exceed certain thresholds must report these assets to the IRS".
On the same day, the U.S Treasury released a 'Joint Statement' with the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom "Regarding an intergovernmental approach to improving international tax compliance and implementing FATCA".
So what the FATCA just happened? In layman's terms, "The U.S. government has once again increased its power and scope of authority to intrude, investigate and regulate virtually every sizable international financial transaction you make starting in 2013."
The focus of this answer is to look at House Resolution 2847, or the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act). And within the legislation, under Title V "Offset Provisions", we shall examine one section of Subtitle A, which is where you can go to find more on how to get FATC "Foreign Account Tax Compliant".
Here are some highlights of "Change You Can Believe In". When Americans wish to send money offshore next year, we find it reads in Part 1, Section 501(a), Chapter 4, Section 1474(a):
"In the case of any withholdable payment to a foreign financial institute which does not meet the requirements of subsection (b), the withholding agent with respect to such payment shall deduct and withhold from such payment a tax equal to 30 percent of the amount of such payment."
The aggregate amount for foreign financial assets has initially been set exceeding $50,000. Eerily, the federal income tax started at a mere 3% wartime tax, was never repealed, and has brackets today well over 40%. History has demonstrated governments will expand their power and attempt to lower this $50,000 threshold.
The term "withholdable payment" is broad and covers virtually all salaries, wages, dividends, annuities, periodical gains, profits, and income; or gross proceeds from the sale of property which can produce interest or dividends from sources in the United States.
The term "foreign financial institution" does not refer to just offshore institutions, but any financial institution which does not meet the requirements of subsection (b) to "comply with such verification and due diligence procedures as the Secretary may require with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts." And if any financial institution is not in compliance with these yet to-be-determined procedures required by the Secretary before 2013 (some by 2014) then such financial institutions shall be considered "foreign".
The term "withholding agent" refers to the bank who is sending the money and is responsible for deducting the payment. Generally, banks charge a fee to send a wire transfer and are not designed to be an administrative body capable of determining if the receiving financial institution has a tax-sharing agreement with the IRS and is currently in compliance with the requirements of subsection (b).
Under this law, foreign financial institutions shall be pressured to report the name, address, and Tax Identification Number (TIN) of each account which has a United States person as a beneficial owner, including foreign entities. Banks will be forced to disclose account numbers, balances, receipts, withdrawals and payments.
So, in short, Obama has turned your bank and financial institutions around the world, into tax policemen. Since banks will not assume any liability for failing to withhold the 30% from your transactions, they will likely turn these payments over to the IRS or will begin refusing to comply with the disclosure requirements altogether and close-out the accounts of American citizens as has Hong Kong, Switzerland and other prominent jurisdictions.
Americans have never had so many reasons to protect their assets than with the passage of this Draconian bill.
The golf in and around Algarve is a hole in one! It’s not per chance that the Algarve has been voted the best European Golf Destination several times by the World Travel Association. If my memory serves me right, I think the Algarve has been voted The World’s Best Golf Destination on more than one occasion.
Algarve has over forty golf courses and the quality of the golf courses is superb. Several of the golf courses in the Algarve are amongst...
The golf in and around Algarve is a hole in one! It’s not per chance that the Algarve has been voted the best European Golf Destination several times by the World Travel Association. If my memory serves me right, I think the Algarve has been voted The World’s Best Golf Destination on more than one occasion.
Algarve has over forty golf courses and the quality of the golf courses is superb. Several of the golf courses in the Algarve are amongst the Top 100 in the world. The quality of the greens and the fairways is fantastic.
There are different levels of difficulty across the golf courses in Algarve from the westernmost Parque da Floresta golf course, which is probably one of the most difficult golf courses in the Algarve, to the golf courses on the Spanish border like Castro Marim, which is one of the easier golf courses to play.
There are certain golfing destinations in the Algarve that have reputations in their own right such as Vilamoura, which has five golf courses within that region or town alone and six if you consider Vila Sol.
The Algarve is a superb golfing destination. Our company, Algarve Senior Living, supports golfing associations, in particular for the senior market and people who sign up for these golfing associations are also able to play golf on a weekly basis at a discounted rate. For people who move here and have golf as a passion, there are many ways to play a huge range of courses and do so reasonably inexpensively. Having played in the US, I can tell that for a similar type of course, with the similar degree of difficulty, and the same quality of course, costs around 1/3 the price in the Algarve compared to the US.
( Golf course at Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure Resort, Algarve, Portugal, pictured.)
What's the effect of illegal drug traffic in Nicaragua?
Jeffrey Soderlind - Horizon Group
The effect of illegal drug traffic in Nicaragua is very seldom experienced in the normal, day-to-day expat life. Central America is definitely the gateway north for South American drug trafficking, however, Nicaragua boasts a "Zero Tolerance Policy" and has confiscated more illegal drugs than any other Central American country.
The effect of illegal drug traffic in Nicaragua is very seldom experienced in the normal, day-to-day expat life. Central America is definitely the gateway north for South American drug trafficking, however, Nicaragua boasts a "Zero Tolerance Policy" and has confiscated more illegal drugs than any other Central American country.
Belize is a small country and the market is small so you tend to find a lot more monopolies in this country, which produce fewer choices for consumers. In general, business in Belize tends to be import-driven. We don’t have a lot of manufacturing in this country so all motor vehicles are imported. The majority of the building construction supplies are imported. We produce a lot of food these days, such as chicken, rice, and fruits, but by and large, the economy is very...
Belize is a small country and the market is small so you tend to find a lot more monopolies in this country, which produce fewer choices for consumers. In general, business in Belize tends to be import-driven. We don’t have a lot of manufacturing in this country so all motor vehicles are imported. The majority of the building construction supplies are imported. We produce a lot of food these days, such as chicken, rice, and fruits, but by and large, the economy is very much import-driven.
Doing business here in Belize tends to be more personal; one on one. You certainly would know your competitors. You perhaps know your customers. There are no huge multi-national companies in this country. No impersonal corporations. Business tends to be done at a lower level, and more at a personal level.
My best advice for anyone contemplating doing business in Belize is to do your due diligence. Ask around and don’t jump into things. It’s very hard to keep secret a negative reputation in this country because it’s so small. So investigate the market, talk to as many people as possible before you jump into bed with one person. The more you hear, the more you talk about it, you’ll find out if you are dealing with reputable people, or if they have a reputation to be less than honest.
(The lodge at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Adventure Company, close to popular tourist destinations in Belize, pictured.)
What would my neighbors be like in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Lourdes Townshend
The San Francisco Area of the City of Panamá as a Neighborhood
You will soon realize how wonderful is to live in San Francisco, one of the most pleasant neighborhoods in the city of Panamá.
If you like to meet new people and experience new things, this is "a must" place to visit or live. Panamanians are warm and friendly. And San Francisco offers so many things to enjoy, beginning with...
The San Francisco Area of the City of Panamá as a Neighborhood
You will soon realize how wonderful is to live in San Francisco, one of the most pleasant neighborhoods in the city of Panamá.
If you like to meet new people and experience new things, this is "a must" place to visit or live. Panamanians are warm and friendly. And San Francisco offers so many things to enjoy, beginning with an extraordinary community park that opens at 4:30 AM and closes at 10 PM, where people walk, jog, exercise or take children to enjoy the beautiful weather and facilities.
San Francisco, as well as the entire city of Panamá, is a very modern and cosmopolitan place, where you can find anything and everything. Modern malls, restaurants, hospitals and schools are in every corner. Clothes, books, school supplies and home articles are available for purchase at ridiculously low prices.
The culture in San Francisco is one thing that visitors will be pleasantly surprised to experience. Classic ballet and the most recognized local and international artists are presented often at the convention centers, as well as at the National Theater (a beautiful place to visit for any reason) located in "Casco Viejo", very close to the Presidential Palace and the extraordinary "Cinta Costera" (a beautiful boulevard by the bay).
You will find in the city of Panamá and the main neighborhoods very interesting people, from north to south, from Asian to Australian visitors and residents. Everyone wants to see the Panamá Canal and to personally experience the so many things that Panamá has to offer.... from bird watching, to an extraordinary rainforest, to the bio-diversified new museum at the Causeway (Fort Amador).
Is difficult to say exactly who your neighbors would be, as more and more people are arriving on a daily basis to Panamá, seeking a better quality of live in retirement or job opportunities, but one thing is very true: Panamanians and expats in Panamá welcome any person who truly wants to enjoy Panamá and who contributes in a good way to the growth and family values of a people who are eager to interact with visitors.
Editor's note: Denis Larsen has consistently been kind, generous and helpful answering questions from our readers, so it was with great interest that we sat down with Denis April 5, 2017, to find out exactly what path he took to live in Mexico, and how it was working out. The result was unexpected, almost at every turn...]
Chuck Bolotin: Denis, you’ve led a very, very interesting life in a lot of locations. From what I know, in the US,...
I moved to Panama from Toronto in July, 2007, but the airline I flew on would not take my dog Roscoe -- something about the summer heat being too much for animals in the cargo hold. So I ended up having to ship Roscoe by a different airline to San Jose, Costa Rica (at three times the cost of my own flight), and of course I then had to drive from my new home in Panama to San Jose to pick him up.
Thus began, innocently enough, my career as an international...
The voting for the Panamanian presidential election will take place on the first Sunday in May. Voting is done on Sunday to ensure maximum voter participation. Presidential elections are held every five years, and presidents cannot succeed themselves. Under this system you don’t have a president-elect campaigning to win the next election instead of governing, so the election season is much shorter than the U.S.
Dental care throughout Mexico is well known to be very, very affordable. I just had a full teeth cleaning and x-rays and I don’t think the fee was more than $20. 
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The golf in and around Algarve is a hole in one! It’s not per chance that the Algarve has been voted the best European Golf Destination several times by the World Travel Association. If my memory serves me right, I think the Algarve has been voted The World’s Best Golf Destination on more than one occasion. 
Belize is a small country and the market is small so you tend to find a lot more monopolies in this country, which produce fewer choices for consumers. In general, business in Belize tends to be import-driven. We don’t have a lot of manufacturing in this country so all motor vehicles are imported. The majority of the building construction supplies are imported. We produce a lot of food these days, such as chicken, rice, and fruits, but by and large, the economy is very....JPG)
Editor's note: Denis Larsen has consistently been kind, generous and helpful answering questions from our readers, so it was with great interest that we sat down with Denis April 5, 2017, to find out exactly what path he took to live in Mexico, and how it was working out. The result was unexpected, almost at every turn...] 
Voting is done on Sunday to ensure maximum voter participation. Presidential elections are held every five years, and presidents cannot succeed themselves. Under this system you don’t have a president-elect